China has officially begun construction on a USD 167.8 billion dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced the launch during a groundbreaking ceremony held at the lower reaches of the river in Nyingchi City, according to official reports.
The ceremony took place at the site of the Mainling hydropower station in the Tibet Autonomous Region, as reported by state-run Xinhua news agency.
India’s reaction to the dam in Tibet
The project’s location and size have caused worry in India and Bangladesh, both of which depend on the Brahmaputra for agriculture, drinking water, and keeping the ecology in balance. India, in particular, has been worried about water disruptions and environmental effects. Critics say this is disingenuous because India has a history of building problematic dams that harm neighbours downstream. Some people are also worried that China’s dominance of the river could change the balance of power in the region, making India more vulnerable.
China asserts that the project has undergone rigorous scientific evaluation and will not adversely affect the ecological environment, geological stability, or water resource rights of downstream countries. Beijing has also emphasised that it will not try to benefit at the “expense of its neighbours”.
Rather, the project could help in disaster prevention and mitigation efforts, and support climate change adaptation in downstream regions, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
